Media Classes

Students will be able to choose a specialization within the Media program. Four core classes will be required for all specializations, with four media electives that will be determined by the student’s specialization choice.

Core Classes Common to All Tracks

Media Foundations

This course is designed to help the students understand how a church as an organization effectively communicates both to its members and to its community in order to further the cause of Christ. The students will learn and understand the basics of creativity and communication, web development, church audio, print design, video production, and technology—all with a ministry-specific emphasis.

MED 101

Design Technology

Students will be introduced to Adobe Creative Cloud and learn to use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator along with other design technologies. Emphasis will be placed upon establishing page layout, graphics manipulation, and pre-press skills. Projects will be given to reinforce the use of application features and equip the student to effectively use these technologies in design and in preparation for other media courses.

MED 102

Graphic Design I

Graphic design is a fundamental skill in media. This course will provide the students with the opportunity to learn to design graphics to enhance print and web media. Graphic design principles and techniques will be studied to learn how to effectively communicate visually. Modern trends and techniques will be studied to keep graphics looking current.

MED 221

Media Portfolio

This course is designed to provide the student with guidance in creating media for inclusion in a portfolio that could be presented to a potential hiring ministry. This portfolio will showcase the student’s work throughout his media training. Students will receive assignments and instruction in-class and work through the necessary projects given throughout the course.

Prerequisites: Completion of Media Training

MED 499

Graphic Design Proficiency

The proficiency in Graphic Design takes the student through the basics of design technology, layout, and prepress skills needed for designing graphics for print and display, and includes courses like Print Production, Typography, and Branding Design. The Graphic Design Proficiency will equip the student to design brochures, presentation graphics, and logos needed to visually communicate in ministry. This proficiency can be taken with any concentration.

Media Foundations

Design Technology

Graphic Design I

Graphic Design II

Typography

Print Production

Branding Design

Media Portfolio

Graphic Design Proficiency Courses

Graphic Design II

Building on the concepts presented in Graphic Design I, this course will examine the connection between visual elements and effective visual communication. Advanced skills of form, line, hierarchy, and grid will be presented and expanded. Individual applications of graphic design will be addressed along with creative solutions applicable to each. Students will explore the creative process and specific uses of design in other forms of media.

Prerequisites: MED 221 Graphic Design I

MED 222

Typography

This course covers the basics of typography, the use of letters and type to effectively communicate in graphic and web design. It will briefly cover the history of type and the printing press, the fundamentals of designing with type, practical applications for typography in graphic and web design, and best practices of copy design and layout.

Prerequisites: MED 221 Graphic Design

MED 323

Print Production

This course will provide the student with knowledge of industry standard software for professional print layout and design, principles unique to designing for print, and technology involved in the printing process. Throughout the course, students will receive hands-on training by designing a variety of print pieces.

Prerequisites: MED 221 Graphic Design I

MED 324

Branding Design

This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of branding and logo design. The student will be able to effectively design a brand for a church or ministry that communicates that ministry’s purpose statement and identity. Color theory and visual communication skills will be developed through this course.

MED 425

Web Development Proficiency

The Web Development proficiency educates the student from the ground up in web design and development using industry standard technology, workflow, and principles. Enrolled students will benefit from courses like Web Development I and II, Interface Design, and Content Management Systems. Students will be prepared to design, develop, and publish websites and digital content with a distinct ministry focus. This proficiency can be taken with any concentration.

Media Foundations

Design Technology

Graphic Design I

Web Development I

Web Development II

Interface Design

WordPress Development

Media Portfolio

Web Development Proficiency Courses

Web Development I

This course is designed to provide the student with skills to design and develop professional websites, teaching the student how to plan, build, and publish for the web medium. HTML and CSS syntax, along with development best practices, will be emphasized throughout the course.

MED 231

Web Development II

This course is designed to build on the foundation laid in Web Development I with instruction in advanced CSS animation and layout, working with embedded media, developing a long-term web strategy through content, and responsive design and layout. The student will learn to design and build more advanced websites with cutting edge technologies.

Prerequisites: MED 231 Web Development I

MED 332

Interface Design

This course will enable the student to effectively design the interfaces of websites and mobile applications. Students will learn how people use and consume data and the most effective methods of displaying information to the end user. Interface design methodology will be implemented in a website design that takes advantage of modern technology.

Prerequisites: MED 102 Design Technology

MED 333

WordPress Development

This course is designed to introduce and instruct students in installing, designing, and maintaining WordPress as a content management system. Website frameworks will also be explored, which will enable the web developer to manage larger and more sophisticated websites that can continually expand and develop as ministry needs arise.

Prerequisites: MED 231 Web Development I

MED 434

Visual Productions Proficiency

The Visual Productions proficiency instructs the student in the capture, editing, and production of visual and auditory presentations. Students will gain hands-on experience and training through courses like Photography I and II, Video Production, and Audio Engineering. This proficiency focuses on equipping students to create visual and auditory content through photography and video that can communicate the purpose and message of the ministry. This proficiency can be taken with any concentration.

Media Foundations

Design Technology

Graphic Design I

Photography I

Photography II

Audio Engineering

Video Production

Media Portfolio

Visual Productions Proficiency Courses

Photography I

This course covers the basics of photography, broken into five distinct sections that will build on each other to give the student a range of technical knowledge and real-world experience of photography, and show how to use these skills in ministry applications. The history of photography, controlling exposure, the laws of composition, basic post-processing, and final output of images will all be covered during the course.

MED 241

Photography II

This course is designed to provide advanced training in photography, including studio lighting, advanced editing and post-processing techniques using industry-standard software, and more extensive hands-on training through photography workshops and active participation in a photography team. At the end of the course, a photography gallery will give the students experience in setting up a proper gallery and will exhibit the top images from the semester.

Prerequisites: MED 241 Photography I

MED 242

Audio Engineering

This course will give the students the skills necessary to design a sound system appropriate for the venue and to properly operate such a system. The students will receive in-class instruction on equipment and technology, and their ear for audio will develop as they use their skills in a live environment.

MED 343

Video Productions

This course will demonstrate the power of video in communication, as well as techniques necessary to achieve the best results. Students will learn how to operate a video camera system, how to edit and correct video using industry standard software, and how to communicate through the video medium.

MED 444

Picture yourself designing for ministry.

The Great Commission is a call to effectively communicate God’s truth. As ministers of Christ, we must use every tool the Lord provides to reach the lost and disciple believers. Our society today connects with and responds to media more powerfully than any other generation. The media minor at West Coast Baptist College will equip and train you to use web, video, print and audio with excellence. The classes and hands-on experience will prepare you to be a more effective local church leader wherever God calls you.